LCSW, 15 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi! I'm Nancy Valdes, LCSW. I've been helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma and life's challenges for over 15 years. My approach is collaborative and empowering, use practical, evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT and CPT to help you understand your emotions, shift unhelpful patterns and build skills to feel more confident and in control. I enjoy working in partnership with my clients to determine which therapeutic approach and techniques will support best their journey and healing. It is important to me that you feel connected to your therapist, as this connection creates the trust and transparency needed to reach your goals. Outside of work, I practice meditation, enjoy reading, cooking, journaling, trying different cuisines, traveling and most recently gardening. I love animals and nature and one of my personal goals this year is learning to play the guitar. I would be honored to support you on your healing journey and provide a safe, compassionate space for growth and change.
Your first session with me is all about you and your story. It’s a space where you can share whatever feels most important for me to understand who you are, what matters to you, and what has brought you to therapy. I approach this session as a first student of your life, taking the time to listen deeply, ask questions, and really get to know your experiences, values, and goals before offering any perspective or guidance. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out or to share more than you’re comfortable with. My goal is to create a safe, judgment-free space where you feel heard, understood, and supported from the very beginning. I believe that lasting growth and change happen when there is trust, curiosity, and collaboration between therapist and client. During our time together, I may ask questions to help me understand patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, as well as areas you’d like to focus on. I’ll also get a sense of your strengths, coping strategies, and the goals that matter most to you. I will never suggest approaches or techniques that I don’t genuinely believe in or that I haven’t used myself—everything I offer is rooted in both evidence and personal experience, designed to be practical, empowering, and achievable. By the end of the session, you should feel seen, understood, and supported, and have a sense of how we might work together to build skills, explore challenges, and create meaningful change. The first session is just the beginning of a collaborative journey where your voice, your experiences, and your growth are at the center. If you’re curious, ready to explore, or looking for a therapist who will meet you where you are and walk alongside you with compassion and practical guidance, your first session is the perfect place to start.
Clients often tell me that what stands out about working with me is my ability to make complex therapeutic concepts clear, relatable, and practical. I break down strategies step by step, providing guidance and encouragement without judgment. I also bring authenticity and integrity to my work—I only suggest approaches I truly believe in and have used myself, which allows clients to trust that every recommendation is rooted in both evidence and lived experience. One of my most valued strengths is helping clients translate insight into results. Whether the goal is to manage anxiety or depression, recover from trauma, build resilience, improve relationships, or simply feel more confident and in control, I guide clients through a collaborative process that blends understanding, skill-building, and empowerment. I help clients identify what works best for them, practice it in real-life situations, and celebrate progress along the way. My approach emphasizes practical growth, emotional regulation, and self-compassion, ensuring that therapy is not just a space to reflect, but a space to create lasting, meaningful change.
I work best with adults who are ready to explore their emotions, understand themselves better, and develop practical strategies for managing life’s challenges. Many of my clients are navigating anxiety, depression, stress, or the lingering effects of trauma, while others are looking for support with relationship challenges, self-doubt, or major life transitions. I’m particularly suited to clients who are motivated to actively participate in their healing, practice new coping strategies, and reflect on the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This includes people who want to: • Challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and shift toward more balanced perspectives • Develop emotion regulation and mindfulness skills to handle difficult situations more effectively • Process past experiences or trauma in a safe, structured way • Increase self-awareness, confidence, and resilience in daily life Clients who thrive in my care are those who value a collaborative, transparent, and empowering approach to therapy. I provide guidance, teach skills, and offer support while respecting your pace and individual journey. Therapy is most effective when you feel connected to your therapist, and I prioritize creating a space where you feel heard, understood, and safe to explore your experiences. Whether your goal is to manage anxiety, recover from trauma, improve relationships, or simply feel more in control and confident, I am here to walk alongside you, providing tools, insight, and support as you work toward meaningful change.
With 10 years of experience, I use CBT techniques to help you recognize unhelpful patterns that may be keeping you stuck and build coping techniques you can use everyday. This approach helps you feel calmer, confident and more in control of your life.
Drawing on my DBT training, I teach practical skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, and healthy communication. With support and guidance, you'll learn to manage intense emotions and create balance in your relationships and daily life.
I specialize in helping clients heal from the impact of trauma using CPT to look closely at "stuck points" which are unhelpful beliefs about safety, trust, or self worth that trauma can leave behind. This method will allow us to challenge these beliefs into healthier and more balanced perspectives. Together, we'll create a safe space to process your story, build resilience, and reconnect with your sense of strength and self trust.